Medicine for the Outdoors: The Essential Guide to First Aid and Medical Emergency, 5th Edition

Medicine for the Outdoors: The Essential Guide to First Aid and Medical Emergency, 5th EditionI have recently read a few books on first responder type medical aid for wilderness scenarios ... and this is BY FAR the best. If you are looking for a book that goes well beyond even advanced first aid, and presents the material in a pratical way using common languge ... this book is it. There is a balance with books like this on either being too elementary (i.e. "dumbed-down") or being too academic (i.e. filled with technical jargon that goes over the head of most people), but this book is a great balance between the two. The author has a gift of explaining things in a very straight-forward fashion.

This book covers almost every conceivable medical situation you will likely encounter in the field. The only downside is that the book is too big and heavy to carry with you during many of the outdoor activities where you might need it. It is ideal for a survivalist homesteader or other remote but relatively stationary situation, or even as part of a vehicle kit. It includes medications and dosages used to treat various maladies, and would prove an invaluable reference for anyone in an emergency situation away from traditional medical services. It is also a useful tool in creating an emergency medical kit targetted at specific activitied and situations, giving detailed information on the items needed for each type of emergency. Training is key, and no book will ever replace professional emergency medical personnel, but this book uses layman's language to describe medical emergencies and their treatments and can assist you when the professionals are not available.

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As a Wilderness EMT and wilderness medicine instructor, I often find myself asking myself questions or being asked questions that I wouldhave otherwise never conjured up. Needless to say, I wouldn't carry this "bible of the backcountry" with me everywhere I go while out enjoying mother nature's splendor, but it certainly has its own spot in my emergency medicine library collection! Well written, easy to follow and understand, and the graphics are clear and concise. A great resource for any Wilderness First Aider, WFR or even WEMT!

Clif Castleman

Center for Wilderness Safety

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VERY dissapointing! The first think I looked up was how to deal with a posionous spider bite. The book recommends ice, pain killers and getting the person to a medical facility. How about a suction extractor and a poultice made of mud, charcoal, clay or grated potatoe to pull the venom out to keep it from surging through the system??? Emergency after emergency is dealt with by stablizing and getting the person to a medical facility. I got this book hoping to learn how to deal with things where medical facilities may not be available.

Is this the best there is? I can't believe it got 5 stars!!!! Can anyone tell me where to get a REAL book on how to deal with medical emergencies! What a waste of money!

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I bought this because it had great reviews and was touted as the best to have in outdoor medicine. Personally, I was kind of hoping for more of a "this is what you do if you are out here with no help and best ways to treat different possible injuries" kind of book. I was not looking for a "give some of the huge quantity of antibiotics you brought with you, use some of the extensive medical equipment you brought, and medivac immediately" kind of book. If I wanted something like that, at least it could have a list in the back of all equipment and medications used in this book and how to carry that much into the woods/mountains etc. A good first aid guide contains the same info without the medications. Feel like I wasted my money on this.

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Real Sex for Real Women

Real Sex for Real WomenAs a sex educator, I try to read as many of the sex books that are available as possible and I am trying to review many of them here on amazon so that people can learn more about these books. I like that this book, "Real Sex for Real Woman", has photographs of real women and real men being sexual together. Not everyone likes this about this book and some of the reviews have said that they were appalled at these pictures. I feel that it is a personal issue. Some women and couples will be okay with seeing real photographs of real people having sex. Other people will not be okay with it. As a sex educator, I am happy to know that there is a book that features such pictures so that people can see what sex and intimacy look like between semi-regular looking people and not only porn actors and actresses.

I am more mixed on the information provided in the book. I do not often find Laura Berman to provide a lot of accurate information. However I do find the writing compassionate. I think it provides good basic information especially about intimacy, massage and communication. I feel that more of the research-based information presented in the book is not an accurate description.

Better books (in my opinion) for women who want to learn to have a better sex life include For Each Other, Because It Feels Good and The Good Vibrations Guide to Sex. For Each Other has mostly couples exercises and techniques in it; Because It Feels Good is about increasing desire, saying yes only to sex you like, getting out of sex cycles of dread; and using toys and lubricants to your advantage; The Good Vibrations Guide to Sex is about toys, communication, experimenting, male pleasure, female pleasure and more.

I am mixed on this book so moderately recommended. Good pictures, decent but not great information.

dr. berman's latest book really is about real sex for real women. how many times have you wandered into the "sex and relationships" section, opened a book, and been completely overwhelmed or baffled by the recommendations? this is a book for those of us who aren't gymnasts, super models, or super humans. she covers the basics, as well as information for those who are simply trying to mix things up a bit in the bedroom (or living room, or kitchen...) dr. berman's background allows her to talk about the psychological aspects of human sexuality in addition to the mechanics. her sections about communication and how stress or depression or emotional issues can affect your sex life provide a level of insight you don't get in just any book about sex. i've recommended this book to all my girlfriends and my partner (and theirs) are grateful!

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I was surprised by this book. This isn't a book for women who are sexually mature or who are comfortable with their bodies; this is a basic book. But it is the best and most respectful basic book I have found. I plan to give it to my friend who is a virgin and getting married. She was raised in a very religious home where sex was rarely discussed. This is a perfect book for women who want to learn more than the ABCs of sex. This isn't a cure your sex life book, and it was never advertised as such. You would be shocked at how little most women know about sex. I teach a college level psychology of sex class, and I am constantly amazed at how little women know about sex. This book is perfect for those women.

As I read this book, I realized that while it looks basic, it isn't as basic as it seems. The info is just very clearly communicated. I think that one of the goals in this book is to talk about sex explicitly but respectfully. This is an excellent book for women who are uncomfortable talking about sex or talking about their bodies and their partner's body. This book is also good for women who struggle with with sex due to poor body image.

I found that many of the women in this book were not skinny models. There were women of different ages, and different sizes. There were small breasted women and average to larger breasted women. Many women had round figures with a bit of a tummy. No one in the book is really big, but you are not going to find that in any book. The pics showing sexual positions were used with averagely healthy weight women. But that was necessary for clarity IMO. And no, I am not thin! Or even close to thin!

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I would recommend this book to every young WOMAN. As I thought I knew it all, I found alot of knowledge here and sage advice. Dr. Laura uses common sense along with expert advice and has taught this old dog new tricks! Quite possibly the best thing I have read so far concerns young women and their thoughts of self esteem. If used properly a young woman will come away from this book with the knowledge she needs for a happy, well adjusted, serene intimate life. Having grown up in the '60's, in rural Florida, I had no idea just how inhibited I was and that there was a whole world out there to explore. Kudos to Dr. Laura!

Please mom's let your daughters understand the biology, the chemistry and the emotions that are so important to a happy life.

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This book is awesome! It's chock full of practical advice on how to improve both your sex life and your relationship in general. It really is for real women-it features women of all shapes and body types in its pictures! We need more of that. A must-read for any woman who cares about her relationship!

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Superior Vocal Health

Superior Vocal HealthAbsolutely amazing book. Finally a user guide for vocal health that's simple and not a science text book. Very easy to read and understand. Very applicable. Superior vocal health doesn't just affect the voice, it affects the whole body physically, mentally, and emotionally. A must have for any serious singer!

Admittedly, this is more of a reference tool than it is a "read from beginning to end" type book. However, David's story on why he came upon the world of herbs and natural remedies for the voice reads just like a movie script. His journey to healthier living and how it benefited his voice his passion is a story all singers can identify with.

No fluff in this book. Every page is jam packed with "not so secret" herbs and teas that WILL make all the difference for the vocalist. No climbing to the top of some remote peak in the Andes to find the herb that will heal a sore throat. All the herbs are accessible and explained in great detail.

I'm crazy about this book. I carry it with me everywhere I go and refer to it constantly.

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Vocal health has always been one of my main priorities as a vocalist. So this book was great to read. Vocalists, speakers or anyone who relies on their voice to survive do really need to read this book. What you put in your body is going to affect your voice. I've lived with reflux for most of my life so I know the kinds of problems you can have with your voice if certain foods do not agree with you. This book is filled so many herbs that one person will probably not even use all of them. You'll have to experiment with what works with you personally. I've used a few of them which some don't work and some do. If you struggle with allergies, colds, sinus issues then you'll find specific herbs for these problems. A great thing about this book it also contains a list of OTC and prescription drugs that will cause vocal issues. I personally don't take medications unless absolutely necessary.

Also there's a couple lists of food supplements and foods that are beneficial. And again some of those may not work for everyone.

It covers the importance of keeping your body at a proper alkaline/acidic balance. I tend to stay on a very alkaline diet so that's not a problem for me. There's a list of alkaline and acidic foods included.

This is a book you'll want to keep with you on the road if you're a touring singer. Great reference to have.

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As a singer in a Modern Rock band...I never knew the importance of keeping my voice healthy...but thanks to Jaime Vendera's book thousands of singers including myself can be educated as to what items and herbs will help make for always ready vocals that will stay around for a long career!! I recommend all of the info this guy has to give!

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This book is a truly amazing find. Packed full of hints and tips on how to maintain and improve the working mechanism of your voice and throat, this book is absolutely essential if you are a vocalist or public speaker. The advice contained within is easily accessible and the products recommended can be found pretty easily online or at your nearest Herbalist stockist or pharmacy. If you are serious about singing or public speaking, if singing is your religion this book has to be your Lost Ark of the Covenant. So many secrets and so many amazing results. AWESOME!!

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Folk Remedies That Work: By Joan and Lydia Wilen, Authors of Chicken Soup & Other Folk Remedies

Folk Remedies That Work: By Joan and Lydia Wilen, Authors of Chicken Soup & Other Folk RemediesIf something is wrong with my health I immediately look for my copy. One of my favorite resources.

I have the other book also "Chicken Soup & other Folk Remedies. Between the two I'm learning how to eat right. Little late but one is never too old to learn! It is informative and entertaining at the same time! Highly recommend both of these books!

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It gives you many good home remedies and tips. Some weird remedies too but they do work.

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The Wilden sisters are fantastic. Simple remedies that work so well I have not seen a medical professional in ages. Why take a pill if you can have a few gin soaked raisins and not ache?

Get this book and keep it handy if you want to stay healthy!

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I love this book for the obvious..to look up different remedies,some a bit out there!! and some worth a try,instead of popping pills or buying expensive drugs,syrups etc.

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Reiki Energy Medicine: Bringing Healing Touch into Home, Hospital, and Hospice

Reiki Energy Medicine: Bringing Healing Touch into Home, Hospital, and HospiceAfter reading Reiki Energy Medicine, this reader finds writing this review quite difficult. It is quite tempting to lose any measure of objective distance and launch into the most effusive praise of this delightful book. At 120 pages, including notes and index, this book manages to say in a straightforward, concise, and simple way what so many other books three times the length or more are unable to communicate.

Without wasting too much time, the authors define and delineate with ease the nature of that universal healing life force that we know as reiki and its efficacy as a complement to traditional allopathic medicine. They neatly outline protocols that they, themselves, have used to integrate reiki into various health care environments from the emergency room to the hospital to the hospice. They discuss the success of programs they have developed and taught to other health care professionals, who have then enthusiastically integrated reiki healing into their health care practices. Reiki, as seen by the authors, is a cost-effective means of providing additional care and support to patients encountering what has so often been the impersonal and technical face of modern medicine. It re-integrates compassion and care back into the caregiver-patient/recipient relationship. Much anecdotal evidence is supplied in this book to demonstrate the extent to which this return of the compassionate relationship alone can drastically reduce the cost and length of recovery.

In the hospice setting where recovery is not an option, Reiki can transform what, under modern conditions, has become a degrading or frightening decline to death into a healing transition. Besides its utility as a palliative measure to treat even the worst pain, Reiki is a gentle guide to ease the patient's concerns and to assist them in their journey out of this life. Remarkably, reiki has also proven quite healing in the relationships of the hospice client with their survivors. In a word, Reiki can assist in cleaning out so much of the emotional unfinished "business" of the client. The authors supply anecdotes supporting this concept and discuss protocols as to how to apply and integrate reiki in the hospice setting.

I am reminded of an article, "Reiki in Hospice Care: Miranda's Story," by John Mramor(Massage & BodyWork Magazine, Feb/Mar 2004 issue) that eloquently affirms the principles that Ms. Barnett and Ms. Chambers have discussed. The client, Miranda, was a single mother of two in her early forties dying from cancer. After a traumatic and highly dysfunctional life, it didn't appear that she would find any healing, peace, or resolution as she approached the end of her life. Nonetheless, through the persistent yet ever so gentle efforts of Mr. Mramor, Miranda was able to find not only some measure of relief from her severe pain, but also to find the healing and resolution of life issues to continue her journey from this life to the next. I feel blessed by the serendipity to have read this article at the same time I was reading Reiki Energy Medicine.

Equally important to discussing the use of reiki in the modern healthcare facility was the emphasis placed by the authors upon the need for caregivers to take care of themselves. The importance of self-Reiki can not be repeated too often. Self-Reiki is vital to maintaining the energy and health of caregivers and to reducing their burdens of dis-ease and stress. As in their discussion regarding hospital and hospice protocols, the authors outline at length the importance of self-care for caregivers and conclude with their vision of a healthcare facility where reiki is fully integrated into the course of healing modalities for both the caregivers and the care-recipients.

In conclusion, Reiki Energy Medicine is quite simply a must-have text for reiki professionals, especially those who are integrating its caring principles and healing practices with other health modalities. I would also highly recommend it for reiki practitioners in general for its value in bringing home the profound, yet gentle realization that reiki can be integrated into every aspect of life to detoxify, heal, and raise the energy of any person and any situation.

This review was first printed in Reiki Magic newsletter(Twin Falls, April 2004). Copyright 2004 Brian S. Melton(aka Friskybearman): no part of this article may be reproduced in any manner without my express consent.

There are books which pretend to be a reference point, and there are those which not only are, but also exceed readers' expectations. These are some of those! Read them twice and heal the universe. A library worth having for every healer.

(1). The Power of Divine: A Healer's Guide Tapping into the Miracle by Tiffany Snow

(2). Molecules Of Emotion: The Science Behind Mind-Body Medicine by Candace B. Pert

(3). Energy Medicine by Donna Eden, David Feinstein, Brooks Garten, Caroline Myss

(4). Reiki Energy Medicine: Bringing the Healing Touch into Home, Hospital and Hospice by Libby Barnett, Maggie Chambers, Susan Davidson

(5). A Practical Guide to Vibrational Medicine : Energy Healing and Spiritual Transformation by Richard Gerber

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Hi I took a class from Libby & Maggie for me it was A Review class. I have an Reiki Teaching and healing practrice. I found the class and the book to be very helpful,in understanding Reiki. It worked well with any level of Reiki or experience that one has with this system. I found the book to be clear and since it was not "airy fairly" I could tell my "main stream" students to buy it without fear that they would be scared away. I liked the clear photo's Angelic Reiki BLessings. Gigi Benanti Norwalk ct

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This is more a beginners guide to Reiki in the Medical Profession than anything else. Many of the ideas of where Reiki is from are outdated. Though for the most part the information is based on the Reiki tradition.

I was disappointed by the lack of in-depth techniques and information on HOW to apply Reiki in these situations. This is a "What is Reiki" and "How Reiki can benefit your profession" book. A beginners information guide again. Good for it's purpose.

The one thing I was upset by was the complete lack of discussion on the Ethics in Reiki. Even going so far as to tell people to do Reiki on people before asking permission. To me, a Reiki/Seichim Teacher the Ethics are some of the most important information to pass on.

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As an RN, and a CRNA, I found this text especially appealing. Good explanations of just what reiki is about are extremely helpful. As I have just recieved my reiki 1 attunements, I found many of the suggestions very helpful to my practice of anesthesia, and reiki! Thanks and well done!

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21 Things to Know Before Starting an Ashtanga Yoga Practice

21 Things to Know Before Starting an Ashtanga Yoga PracticeAnyone who's stuck with my blog over the years has probably figured out that I have a bit of a love hate relationship with Ashtanga ( for hate read, frustration and irritation), every now and again I tend to bang my head against it. It was during one of these ...more negative periods that Claudia brought out her book and I immediately switched over to feelin' the love again as a result of reading it, it reminded me why I love the practice.

Claudia's own passion for the practice is infectious, it's on almost every page. Yet despite that passion there's also an openness that I respect immensely. As a blogger herself Claudia's come up against questions and criticisms regarding the practice both on her own blog and those on which she contributes through comments. She's aware of what makes people uncomfortable or perhaps suspicious at times and is always respectful in her response, she is constantly exploring the practice and trying to understand it a little more herself.

In the book that translates as respect for her readers.

She doesn't just throw information about the practice at you, she invites you in, she doesn't avoid the difficult questions, she often struggles with them too. Her book is a guide to pretty much everything surrounding the practice ( and more besides ) but she's also a fellow traveller, she wants to share her view of the practice but her curiosity comes through, she wants to hear your view too.

The last section is called...

'Keep in touch'

Claudia shares.

The book is personal, she's telling you why she chose to practice Ashtanga, (that's pretty much the title of Chapter four).

' I will never preach or try to convince anyone of anything, but I can tell you some of the reasons why I came into ashtanga, why it has worked for me and how it continues to work.' p39

One of my favourite things about the book is an in-joke, I didn't get right a way. The book's title relates to a blog post Claudia wrote a while back and is the title of chapter three, on a hunch I took another look at the contents, page, yep, there are also twenty-one chapters.

Claudia loves lists.

For example

Chapter six : 3 specific cases in which yoga helped me personally

Chapter seven : 15 unusual benefits of yoga

Chapter fourteen : 9 lame excuses that keep people away from yoga

Chapter sixteen 19 suggestions to improve your yoga practice

Chapter twenty-one : 32 unusual ways to love ourselves.

Notice too that none of those chapters mention Ashtanga in the title. Claudia practices Ashtanga but I would argue her book is relevant to any style of yoga in fact it might be said it's a book about taking more control of your life

Chapter 18 : A few ways to practice yoga when we're off the mat.

Notice she says when WE'RE off the mat

This is not a practice manual, you wont find the ashtanga sequences laid out but If you are an Ashtangi then your going to want this book, it has, for example, one of the best guides around to making the leap and visiting Mysore, India where the Ashtanga style began, command Central if you will.

Chapter ten: An Ashtanga yoga guide to Mysore

Which talks about Accommodation, transportation, food, supermarkets, bookstores, sightseeing just everything.

But we also have...

Chapter eleven : Adventures of a beginner in Mysore

This is an hilarious account written by Claudia's husband relating his first experience of visiting ( being dragged along) to Mysore to practice ashtanga for the first time. This was a guest post on Claudia's blog, here James gets a guest chapter.

There's also a chapter on the Saturday, rest day practice, the oil bath.

This is a wonderful book and while Claudia has made a free pdf copy available on her blog, however your going to want it in book form, in fact your probably going to want several copies as your sure to be passing them on to all your friends who ask you about this strange bouncing up and down on mats we do and are tempted to give it a try.

That said, in a couple of years your probably going to find several battered and well thumbed copies laying around your local shala in as well as in Mysore itself.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit and read it quickly. The format of lists is fun, concise and accessible. I especially found the quotes inspiring, thought provoking and enlightening. I have marked many by the author and by others to return too. The quote "If you don't have a fever and nothing is broken, then get on the mat and do what you can." particularly resonates for me. It has already helped to build my fledgeling home practice. If your passion is yoga, especially Ashtanga but not necessarily Ashtanga, this book is a great resource as well as a lot of fun.

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I am very pleased with this little book. I thought that a lot of it wouldn't appeal or apply to an older woman with a neuromuscular disorder which makes simple yoga a challenge, and absolutely no intention of ever going to Mysore, but at the price and with all the great reviews I gave it a try.

I am glad that I did. It is well written, (could use some proofreading for grammatical slips, nothing big) interesting, educational, and very inspiring when it comes down to urging the reader to just commit to practicing. The author definitely lives on the fringe of yoga practice, she admits to being more involved than most of us will want or be able to be, but she manages to be inspiring rather than off-putting like so many accomplished yoginis.

A valuable and fascinating read. Highly recommended.

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Claudia shares her personal experiences and years of study in the ancient mysteries of yoga. i loved this book because it answers so many questions around this ancient practice, the history and why it is still so valuable in to modern day man. yoga studios should have this book available to beginners as well as to those who just can't get enough of yoga!

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The book was marginally of any value to me. I have been doing Ashtanga Yoga for almost a year. In the scope of Yoga practice I am considered a beginner. If I was just considering Ashtanga Yoga it would have scared me away. The stories in her life were not good examples and her focus on her being fired was never really bought full circle on how that really has anything to do with Ashtanga Yoga. The punch list and travel tips to Mysore India was a waste of my time.

Look elsewhere!

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Cannibal Fat Camp

Cannibal Fat CampThe cover of this book is great, an obvious homage to GARBAGE PAIL KIDS, and it delivers on the image. It really delivers. If you want some gory, hilarious fun, pick this up. The cover really says it all. And as a chubby guy, the fat humor is luckily done in a way that doesn't really offend, but celebrates in a black humor way. I strangely got hungry often while reading the book.

The best part about CANNIBAL FAT CAMP is the prose and structure of the narrative. Clever devices like forms, letters, and reports help deliver the story in a fresh, hip way. With a huge amount of buildup, we don't see any deaths until 1/3 the way through, which is a huge strength here. There is nothing supernatural about FAT CAMP, it could realistically happen, and the deliberate pace and build up form a real world around the reader. The writing on display here is really wonderful.

It feels mildly like a love-letter to William Golding's LORD OF THE FLIES, but never overtly so. It definitely has its own unique vision, ad the tale is told in a confident way. By virtue of the name alone, you get the idea that CANNIBAL FAT CAMP will eventually have some campers dying, and probably going insane. This delivers.

Camp Tum Tum is an exclusive weight loss camp for the rich and famous parents of the world (to send their kids too). It is on a deserted desert island, that, after you again read the title, you as the reader will "gulp" when you realize how remote it is. You know carnage is coming! FAT CAMP uses the simple one two set up. Step one, they set you up with a great backdrop for the story. Step two, they knock it out of the park and deliver all the gore and madness you would expect from a cover/title like this!

Add in a killer ending, and I give this 5/5 burgers with cheese and onion. Hold the veggies.

If you're undecided what to order off the horror menu, might I suggest Cannibal Fat Camp? It's a tasty morsel of outlandish humor blended with deep rich horror guaranteed to satisfy and not overstuff.

Fat is a four letter word. A group of overweight teens head off to an island in hopes of shedding a few pounds at an eight week fat camp. Through an unfortunate event, the kids find themselves without adult supervision. Hormones rage amongst rumbling stomachs as a leader emerges and takes control. The once benevolent king quickly becomes a ruthless dictator. It's survival of the fattest as finding food becomes a daily struggle.

Bram Stoker Award nominee Mark C. Scioneaux and award-winning writer/actor/filmmaker/college professor/pro wrestler and all around hack David C. Hayes join together to create one fun tale of meaty madness.

If your kid comes back from fat camp and tells you he wants to have a friend over for lunch, ask a few specific questions what they might have in mind . . . just so there won't be any unwanted surprises. Come get you some 5 star fun right here!

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Looking for a good scary dish? Try Cannibal Fat Camp, a fast paced story about privileged overweight teens taken to a 8 week course on how to lose weight and eat right, well that WAS the plan. But as we all know something goes horribly horribly wrong!

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17 year old Miles had a problem. A huge problem. He was morbidly overweight and could not control his eating. After getting in trouble AGAIN for stealing his classmates' lunches, he had a choice: go to Camp TumTum and get his eating problem under control, or face expulsion. Feeling a bit hopeless, he agreed to see the doctor to be recommended for the camp. After meeting the once obese but now athletic and perfect counselor, he was looking forward to going to the posh resort-like camp hidden away on a secluded tropical island. On his second day at camp, he and the other campers found themselves alone when all of the counselors died from drinking poisoned protein shakes. In a panic, the campers stress ate all of the camp's food, leaving them to find a way to survive until they were rescued. Some campers had other plans.

I loved this book and flew through it quickly. The characters were great! It was interesting to delve into the psyche of Miles. I wanted him to succeed! Charles was by far the most twisted character I've read in a while. Jenny was kind and smart, the perfect person to save these kids, but the right thing doesn't always happen. I loved learning parts of the experience from journal entries and letters home.

The writing was excellent. The transition between journal entries and regular text was seamless. The doctor's report was hilariously offensive and made me wonder what doctors REALLY put in reports of these types! The adult characters in this book were as unique and the children, making the entire story flow nicely. This book has two authors, and I couldn't tell where one left off and the other began. I love that!

The violence and gore. Oh yes, this book has that in abundance! A veritable buffet of insanity, guts, blood and sex! Those scenes were very descriptive and lived through the horror with these kids, albeit with an adult thought process (which included me adding a lot of WTF's and OMG's out loud. My only gripe with this book, and it's really not a big one, was that I didn't get to "see" the final battle play out. I think that scene would have been better if it wasn't done as a newspaper article, although the article was quite interesting.

The ending. Oh my! I didn't see that coming! I closed that book...er shut off my kindle... with a grin. I can see no more perfect ending than that! All in all, AMAZING book!

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This book was grotesquely entertaining. I read a previous review that said that it was reminiscent of Lord of the Flies and I agree. I thought that through out the story. In a fantastic way. It was well written, well paced and a freakishly fun read. I was actually pleasantly surprised when I read it because, from the beginning, I thought that the story was going to go in a different direction. I was surprised by the ending, which I adore and pretty rarely happens to me like this. I kind of want to see a follow up where Miles starts his own Fat Camp...

Your Child's Health: The Parents' Guide to Symptoms, Emergencies, Common Illnesses, Behavior, and Sc

Your Child's Health: The Parents' Guide to Symptoms, Emergencies, Common Illnesses, Behavior, and School ProblemsWhen I had my first baby in 1997, I bought A LOT of child care/medical reference books. My purchases included work by Dr. Spock, Dr. Sears, Penelope Leach, and Dr. Brazelton. "Your Child's Health" is the only one that I still have.

First, this book is organized in a VERY useful way. For each type of issue/illness, there is a quick summary that leads you quickly to an understanding of what you probably should do for your child right now, tomorrow or at your next doctor's appointment.

This book also helps to calm nervous parents. The section about fevers is a great example of this. Barton acknowledges that fevers are scary for parents. He then provides calming words, clear facts and direction about when you really need to worry.

This book does break down when it comes to issues that I consider cultural or social in nature. I do not think that this author is an expert about family beds, breast feeding or feeding schedules. I think that he is simply expressing views that were in vogue when he was in med school. I would strongly reccomend Dr. Sears or the La Leche League for more thorough and thoughtful information on these subjects.

Despite this small weakness, I think that this is a book that every family with babies and small children MUST have.

I use to work on the Pediatric floor of a local hospital for over 15 years, I wish I had known about THIS book then! A few years ago I started working at an "advice" nurse line. This book was used to create some of the Pediatric guidelines. The nurses call this book the "Pediatric Bible"!

The first time I used the book was for a call about a child with a ring stuck on her finger. I told the mom what to do and it worked! From that time on, I have told parents to get this book. If you don't have access to an advice nurse line, I highly recomend you get this book. The information is easy for any parent to understand. It's straightforward information to ease any parents mind.

One of my co-workers even gives this book as part of a wonderful basket of goodies for baby showers! What a great idea!!!

Buy Your Child's Health: The Parents' Guide to Symptoms, Emergencies, Common Illnesses, Behavior, and Sc Now

As this book is nearly a decade old, it desperately needs updating. It makes little or no reference to attachment parenting, "child-wearing", or co-sleeping. Prescription information is woefully outdated. Current research on breast-feeding is obviously non-existent and the ear thermometer (a device available for over five years now) was, at the time of this book "not yet available for public use." In today's day and age, you should not have to risk your child's health relying on out-dated information.

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I got this book before my now 2 1/2 year old boy was born, I was given several books, and this is by far the best one. I have used this book several times, and it has sure helped in notify doctors of the problem even if it is over the phone. I have had friends come over and call at all hours asking me to check certain things out in this book. I would definately recommened this to all mothers and fathers

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Caregiver's Handbook: A Complete Guide to Home Health Care

Caregiver's Handbook: A Complete Guide to Home Health CareAn extremely useful reference for safely caring for the sick or the elderly. Practical suggestions for everything from eyedrops to incontinence, including excellent illustrations of techniques and equipment. I've recommended it to several people.

If someone close to you has become sick, disabled or aging is taking its toll, then the Visiting Nurse Association of America offers their advice on how to be a more effective caregiver. They realize that you also need support when providing care to others.

The first chapter explains how you can become a caregiver, the benefits of home care, how your relationship will change, how you should take time for yourself, how to understand how you are feeling and asks: "Are you coping?"

Home Hygiene, healthy eating, bed comfort, maintaining mobility, personal care, wound care, facing death, emergency care and communication is discussed in detail.

There are step-by-step photographs to show you how to change someone's position in bed or how to use a hair washing tray for those who are flat on their backs in bed. Since you will need to order supplies for home care, a complete section of useful addresses also includes Web site information.

There were a few items I had never thought of. If you are pushing someone in a wheelchair, you might want to lower the chair backwards down a stair as the occupant could fall out of the chair and even if you had tilted the chair backwards, it could become unstable. They also show how you can adapt a bathroom for someone who would otherwise need help and installing various items can help you save time.

There is a chart which explains the stages of grief. First you will go through denial, then anger and finally acceptance. Allowing yourself to go through these stages can be very healing and during the unsettling time of a death, you will take these steps, even as a caregiver. There are many sidebars with "case studies" which show how the advice can be used in real life.

A patients bill of rights is included. A glossary of medical conditions helps to explain a few main illnesses. Through reading this book you will gain more information on caregiving skills and how to administer emergency and calming care.

If you feel a bit of anxiety about caregiving, this book will give you many answers to your questions and put your mind at ease.

~The Rebecca Review

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Survival Mom: How to Prepare Your Family for Everyday Disasters and Worst-Case Scenarios

Survival Mom: How to Prepare Your Family for Everyday Disasters and Worst-Case ScenariosThis is the absolute best preparedness book, ever, for average people in urban, suburban and rural areas. I've been following Lisa Bedford's "SurvivalMom" blog for a couple of years, pre-ordered this book and devoured it after it arrived. The comprehensive and well-organized guidance can take a person from zero preparedness to eclipsing 95% of the population with just one trip to the grocery store and a couple hours shopping on the Internet. Today I'm ordering copies for my sister and a couple friends who live near the Cascadia Subduction Zone in the Pacific Northwest and recommending on Facebook for everyone else. Really terrific contribution to promoting and facilitating preparedness. This book is obviously a project of an exceptionally detailed-oriented person who has devoted years to assembling the latest, most useful information in an accessible, efficient manner. The author also helpfully relates her personal experiences in going from a mom focused on getting her family through normal everyday life to one steeped in emergency preparedness scenarios and practical strategies for persevering (comfortably, if possible) through events ranging from routine power outages to being stranded on the road as well as longer-term situations. She also does not shy away from matters usually associated with survivalists -such as the need to not just be able to feed and shelter but also to be prepared to defend oneself and family. The Survival Mom book coupled with wilderness survival knowledge would put someone way ahead of the game (she briefly touches on some wilderness skills -like fire-starters -but does not, for instance, tell how to build a teepee, trap game or do other hard-core wilderness skills -there are plenty of other books on those subjects). In sum, this book is a great value and a keeper.

Living in California about 5 miles from the Hayward and San Andreas fault, you've got to think about the "what ifs". Think it can't happen to you? Think again.... I used to live in Michigan where an ice storm has taken out the power for 2 weeks in the dead of winter. No matter where you live, the unexpected can happen.

"Survival Mom" covers the basics including food storage, water purification, financial and medical preparedness and communication during a crisis. It goes way beyond the basics, however, with the addition of charts, checklists and worksheets to help you stay organized.

A great way to get ready for that 6.5 to 7.5 quake we know will happen someday in San Francisco.

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I received an advanced copy from the publisher and I've got to say, this book does an outstanding job of filling a long standing need a survival book for your typical homemaker. I have an entire floor-to-ceiling bookshelf full of survival books and my wife hates every one of them. This book however, is something she would sit down and read! Reading the book, it is immediate evident that it was written by a mom for moms. Not that men can't read it, it reads just fine for me, but it is very different in its tone and presentation.

If you've been wanting to get your wife more involved in preparedness then get her this book! She might finally understand what you've been going on about!

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I was as excited to receive my copy of Survival Mom. I know you're supposed to be neutral before you start reading, but I will admit I had high expectations for this book. Having visited The Survival Mom blog for a couple of years, I know it is my "go-to" place to find out about emergency preparedness and survival information.

The book is well organized and describes every facet of preparedness including having the proper mindset and avoiding panic, water and food storage, organizing your home to optimize space, learning to live without electricity, finances, safety and security and much more. I recommend reading it from start to finish to get the most out of the book, but busy readers who have an agenda in mind can easily jump around and choose a chapter they are most concerned about. Throughout the book are interesting anecdotes, quizzes, quotes and lists that enhance learning and add variety to your reading experience. The tone is light, and never alarming or oppressive.

The book met and exceeded my expectations, and I highly recommend it. Whether you are new to preparedness, intermediate or a veteran, you will find this book a valuable resource to keep in your survival library.

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Are you confused with all the "prepping" or "survival" info out there? Wonder who or what to believe? Do you wonder why, how and where to start, or how to assess and beef up your prepping efforts? Do you want the hype-free message with no sale pressure?

If so, you will love this book, Survival Mom: How to Prepare Your Family for Everyday Disasters and Worst-Case Scenarios

by Lisa Bedford.

Chapter One sets the tone for the entire book, "Prepare More, Panic Less." This is the message that comes through loud and clear. It matters not what the motivation is for our family preparations (whether natural disaster, job layoff, illness or something bigger), Lisa Bedford takes us step by step from awareness to action, starting with her own story in the introduction entitled "From Suburban Mom to Survival Mom."

Let's face it, the media is grabbing ahold of this "prepping" movement and is bringing it into the forefront and making it mainstream. People who never thought about storing food, water or extra blankets are now taking cues from tornado and hurricane survivors and packing 72 hour kits. With the reality shows such as "Doomsday Preppers" (no matter what your opinion of it, the show is topping the ratings and people are becoming aware of the need to prepare) and its copycats "Doomsday Bunkers" and those to follow, there are some Doom-and-Gloomers out there who are preaching panic and preying on those who are panicking.

Lisa Bedford's message says not so fast! On page 15 she recites "The #1 Rule of Preparedness... Do your best where you are with what you have."

From water to sanitation, food to organization and decluttering, from home security to survival finances, gardening, growing, preserving to living without electricity, from just starting out to seasoned "preppers" this book is one to have. Survival Mom was birthed and penned by a real-life wife and mom to other moms (but men can definitely identify) laid out in terms, reasoning and actions that we moms understand and relate to.

Great book to have on hand for the extensive checklists and information and it's the one that I will give to my family members who have not begun yet and don't know where to begin.

This book is for the whole family and has resources to get the whole family involved.

For my full review please go here:

I am an independent reviewer. I did not receive payment for my review, nor was there any expectation of a positive review. I did receive a copy of the book to complete my review.

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Forensic Psychology

Forensic PsychologyJust starting to explore the subject and considering pursuing forensic psychology on a journey I haven't been before. I could not get myself away from this book. It was informative, intriguing, and written in a manner that made it quite easy to understand and form a decision to go for it!!!

It is a book that any student or mental health professional should have. It is easy to read, explains legal concepts concisesly.

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Fitness For Dummies

Fitness For DummiesThese authors love to shop as much as they love to exercise.

As a fitness neophyte, I turned once again to the Dummies series for its comprehensive, unbiased coverage of broad topics. What disappointed me about this selection is its enthusiasm for expensive gadgetry, club memberships, and professional consultation.

Admittedly, a healthy lifestyle isn't without a price tag, but this is ridiculous. In almost every chapter of this book (including a couple devoted entirely to the subject), you can expect to find one or more words of advice encouraging the reader to go shell out some more dough for one thing or another a heart monitor, a personal trainer, a water pack, a dietician, a special mat for stretching exercises, etc. If you bought every item they recommended throughout the course of this book, you'd spend a full year's salary and fill a bedroom with all your new junk!

While they do advise against some of the more foolish purchases, such as those fat-zapping electrodes sold on infomercials, they spend little time extolling the virtues of those invaluable exercises you can do for free stair walking, push ups, pull ups, etc. The chapter on exercising at home is a veritable catalog of the fanciest equipment money can buy, rather than suggestions of exercises you can do on a bare floor with your own body weight.

The authors also go a little skimpy on such topics as nutrition and weight training, but make darn sure to point you in the direction of other related titles in the "for Dummies" series.

If you generally like the Dummies books, do a little more shopping before you put your faith in this one.

When I bought this book I thought it would cover all the basics (= for dummies) and allow me to start working on my own at home.

To my disappointment this book contains very little needed info to do that.

Example there are three pages about stretching, giving rules such as "Stretch all your muscles, not just those you've used in your workout", with the chapter describing the muscles coming up 45 pages later. I'd expect :

1. The chapter about muscles to be close to or preceding the section about stretching. The design keeps the relevant info too far apart.

2. A list of stretching excercises to be given with pictures. No excercises are given at all (though there are plenty of space given to useless pictures, e.g. of a computerized bike panel), denying me the info I need.

The section recommends buying a video that shows how to stretch. For the price of a video and a video cassete (about $300 in Israel) I could get personal training.

The "Nutrition Basics" chapter is another disappointment five and a half pages are spent on vitamins providing less information than given in leaflets given for free in pharmacies, the section about titled "Watch Your Calories" gives trivial advice, and no table of caloric values of different kinds of foods is included, etc.

I find this book very disappointing, will not buy any other "for dummies" books, and will sell this book at a second hand books store at least I'll get some of my money back and not waste any shelve space on this useless book.

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If only all Dummies books were as good as this one. Extremely well-written with the most clear language one could ever hope for. Full of anecdotes, definitions, and plenty of myth busters. The personalization from the authors gets tiring ("Suzanne thinks that...", "Liz's grandmother once..."), but it is tolerable. Many, many aspects of fitness are covered in remarkable thoroughness. General weight lifting (both at home and the gym), supplements, gym etiquette, trainer tips, aerobic machines and classes, and fitness video buying are all covered with impressive detail. (If buying this book used, be sure to get the 2nd edition as it covers many topics that didn't exist with the first edition: Pilates, Physio balls, elliptical trainers, Bikram Yoga, and more.)

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I've read several beginner fitness books and I feel this is the most complete and best organized of them all. This has gotten me motivated and started on the right fitness program for me (I've since confirmed with a personal trainer). Honest and accurate fitness information is laid out in an easily understood way (without any questionable product endorsements). No "summary" style book is going to have everything, but they have enough information that you feel like everything else is fine tuning.

To address the concerns of another reviewer, the 2nd edition of this book does discuss common fitness injuries.

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If you've been rather inactive in the recent past, this book will help you to get moving. It not only helped me to plan a well-rounded fitness program, but it really helped me to get motivated. The writing is clear and simple, and the authors do a good job at cutting through the jargon fog and giving you the essentials. and, of course, there's that "For Dummies" humor throughout. Best of all, it's cheaper than a personal trainer. In fact, if you need a personal trainer, this book has great advice on chooding a trainer that's right for you!

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The Big Bento Box of Unuseless Japanese Inventions (101 Unuseless Japanese Inventions and 99 More Un

The Big Bento Box of Unuseless Japanese InventionsI wrote and published this review in The Journal of Irreproducible Results, vol. 49, no. 6, November 2005:

Rube Goldberg founded the modern era of humorous inventions in the US, and Heath Robinson did the same in the UK, in the first half of the 1900s. Even now, "Rube Goldberg contraptions" call to mind not only his cartooning style but his inventive wit.

The genre simplified and expanded with Jacques Carelman's The Catalogue of Fantastic Inventions (St. Martins, 1984), and Steven M. Johnson's What the World Needs Now (Ten Speed, 2001). David E. H. Jones takes a decidedly more scientific, less cartooned approach in The Inventions of Dædalus (Freeman, 1982) and The Further Inventions of Dædalus (Oxford University Press, 1999).

When the genre twisted and turned to Japan, it developed into Chindogu. If a humorous invention serves a real, everyday purpose ... but not well; if it is actually made and photographed; if its humor is a byproduct of solving a problem ... then it may be "chindogu". See www.chindogu.com. A bento box is a multi-purpose lunchbox, but that concept is the merest appetizer for these.

200 inventions fill 300 pages in this charming full-color compendium. Many are in classes by themselves, such as the nail-polish dryer for 5 fingers at once. But certain issues recur:

* Attach mops to crawling babies, pets, and shoes.

* Portable signage allows you to unroll a zebra-crosswalk at a convenient place in the road; to put a women's-restroom sign over a men's; and to mark parking space lines around your car, wherever you leave it.

* An extra hand can cover your mouth politely; hold veggies perilously close to a cutting knife; and even help count fingers.

* Umbrellas could be supported from a hat or headbelt, or little ones attached to shoes or camera, or given full-length transparent sides to keep you dry all the way down.

* Just as a Swiss Army knife combines many hand tools, a giant handle could combine gardening tools; pockets in a necktie or hooks on a belt could hold office necessities; hooks on an apron could hold kitchen utensils; and each finger of a glove could be tipped with its own tool.

Shoes, crowded subways, and taking snapshots also come up often.

Sure enough, I found no use for any item in the whole book. But many motifs, several methods, and some attitudes look like I ought to be able to apply them somewhere or other, either for a laugh or for something (chindogu notwithstanding) actually useful.

By the way, while "humorous inventions" seems like a category, libraries haven't invented a single number to find them under. I found some in art (NC1429, NC1499, NK1125); in science at Q167, and in technology at T20 and this one at T27. In Dewey, check 741.5.

(2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)I took one look at this amusing book and immediately understood why only the Japanese would revel in these wacky inventions which they call "chindogu". As a Japanese-American myself, I understand the high value placed on self-sufficiency and time-efficiency in their daily existences. After all, these are the people who came up with sleeping tubes and subway passenger pushers. Designer and author Kenji Kawakami and translator Dan Papia promote 200 of these funky devices that range from the conceivably helpful to the hysterically absurd. The humor comes from not only the devices but also the straight-faced photos of the devices in action and the accompanying text that captures the pure huckster cheese of an airline mail-order magazine. Kawakami provides the top ten tenets of chindogu to set the stage for what follows. He considers a chindogu a failure if it is slightly useful, a success if it captures the spirit of anarchy. They cannot be invented simply for humor. They must exist as a prototype but never be patented or sold. Kawakami understands that there is no gadget so unuseless that somebody out there would not buy it if offered, and in this regard, the Japanese have shown more discretion than Americans who would submit their patent applications on a dime.

Expect to giggle quite a bit perusing this book, and here are a few of my particular favorites:

* Diet dishes rice bowls cut in half with a mirror inserted to make them seem like full bowls, marketed with the tagline "Satisfy your hunger with a culinary optical illusion".

* Portable subway straps straps hung on a suction cup that you would place on the ceiling of a particularly crowded subway car. I could easily see using this on BART during rush hour.

* Hay fever hat a chin-strapped ring hat with a toilet paper dispenser mounted on top to allow you to sneeze without incident.

* Stormy sky tie an updated variation of the clip-on tie that doubles as a collapsible umbrella in front.

* Baby mops a sleep-suit quipped with mop-heads so that when the baby is on the floor, he/she can mop the floor at the same time. There are the similarly functional duster slippers for cats. Why not put your toddlers and pets to use on your household chores?

* Portable zebra crossing a rolled-up piece of plastic mimicking a crosswalk pattern so one has the inarguable right-of-way on busy streets.

* Self-portrait camera stick a 57-cm telescoping pole which allows young and apparently shy couples to take pictures of themselves without having to bother passing strangers. The only sacrifice is the constant appearance of the pole in every shot.

The last two actually reflect the Japanese tendency to "save face" by not intruding on others' lives for their own convenience. Consequently I don't think these would translate too well overseas. This is truly a big bento box of fun for those who enjoy the silliness that results from inventive minds focused on the immediacy of their own environments. However, the book also illustrates how close we are in realizing much of this type of seemingly trivial inventions with what we see in Sharper Image and Brookstone catalogs. That may be the primary allure of this pink tome, the fact that we end up laughing at ourselves for ideas we may not have been creative or motivated enough to make real.

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This book of chindogu features some of the most humorous and ingenious inventions ever, inventions so impractical yet addressing real world problems, that they are referred to as "unuseless." The inventions remind me of Monty Python animator Terry Gilliam's cartoons gone horribly awry. Editor Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall explains the concept nicely in the foreword: all these inventions are real and have been manufactured, but to qualify as a real chindogu, the device must be completely impracticable in the real world. Readers are even invited to join and submit chindogu of their own to the International Chindogu Academy. (I am thinking of submitting a Marmoset Crauncher.)

The word "chindogu" was appropriated for these inventions as it is Japanese for "odd or distorted tool." That is a perfect description of these items. There are too many for me to list, but all are beautifully explained and illustrated. Some of my favorites include: "Duster Slippers For Cats," in which housecats don dustmops on their paws to assist with household chores (the illustration is priceless); "The Noodle Eater's Hair Guard," which is the silly pink contraption on the cover; "The Back Scratcher's T-Shirt" (which is not only funny, it borders on a good idea); the "Portable Subway Strap" (for those who enjoy holding onto a plunger affixed to the roof of a train); and the "Ear Extender," which gets my vote for best decorative headgear made from colanders.

This is a funny book, and is beautifully rendered in color throughout. The only warning I have is that if you read this in long sittings, eventually you may find yourself saying "Hey, that's a pretty good idea!" (I had this thought when looking at the "Butterstick.") I recommend this book to lovers of the odd and obscure everywhere.

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When my daughter invented a biofeedback-based antisnoring device (a stethoscope-like device with ear pieces and a sound-gathering tube taped beneath the nose) for a high school science fair, little did I realize that she had practiced Chindogu, or the art of creating an object that sounds useful and that almost satisfies a need... except for the fact that it fails in some essential way. Author Kenji Kawakami, whose International Chindogu Society promotes this wonderfully wacky art form, has compiled "The Big Bento Box of Unuseless Japanese Inventions" to celebrate the best of Chindogu.

Each of the 200 inventions includes a description and one or more color photographs of someone modeling or demonstrating the product. How can I begin to list the many types of devices found in this off-the-wall collection? There are many items of apparel ranging from a backscratcher's T-shirt with an itch grid ("Could you please scratch my back at F6?") to training high heels with stabilizer wheels. For the workaholics, there are an office tie and tool belt, each with handy compartments to hold business cards, a calculator, telephone, pens, and other office essentials. There are many umbrella devices, such as the full-body umbrella, an umbrella golf club, and shoe umbrellas to avoid nasty rain puddle splashes. For dieters there are a magnifying fork and dishes that hold half the food they seem to through the use of mirrors. For the handyman there are Swiss army gloves and lawn mower sandals. For the water hater there's a bath body suit to keep you dry no matter how long you soak in the tub. For the claustrophobe, there are wide-angle glasses to make that cramped apartment look roomy. For the ultimate in personal hygiene there are a two-sided toothbrush that cuts brushing time in half and a pair of eye drop funnel glasses. I could go on and on... but I'll leave you with this final gem: the solar-powered flashlight. What would be more impractical than that?

These Chindogu do a masterful job at spoofing our insatiable need for gadgets. The deadpan photos of people using these items are hilarious. Not only will you laugh, but you might really crave a more refined version of some of these products. You might even be inspired to create an unuseless invention of your own. This book is a lot of fun!

Eileen Rieback

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This book is hysterically funny and so creative. A great gift.

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Toward Daylight: Becoming a writer, despite everything

Toward Daylight: Becoming a writer, despite everythingKarner's quiet wit and delicious writing style draw you into the story of her struggle with overcoming physical and emotional turmoil. The reader is thrown headfirst into the simple lifestyle chosen by the author and her husband, which causes you to take inventory of your own hectic life.

I was sad to reach the end of the story part of your well-written book and wanted to continue reading. Hurry, hurry, hurry with your next book! The travelogue section makes me feel like I am actually experiencing a place I will probably never have an opportunity to visit! It has inspired me to look for attractions right in my own area that I've never been to before!

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Reading Toward Daylight by Tracy Karner was like entering into her world as she struggled and celebrated her journey through life.

It caused me to reflect on the people in my life and the journey we are on. I plan to visit many of the restaurants and inn's that she

refers to in her book. I highly recommend this book.

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Fresh Air for Life: How to Win Your Unseen War Against Indoor Air Pollution

Fresh Air for Life: How to Win Your Unseen War Against Indoor Air PollutionThis is one of the best, easy reading books on indoor air quality I have found. It leads the reader through a understandable "mountain" of technical information with clear and insightful direction. Not only does Doctor Sommersall throughly explain the problem he explains what can be done about it.

If you are interested in the quality of the air you breathe wether it is in public buildings, workplaces, hospitals etc., or more importantly in your own home, then this is a very inexpensive purchase with a large return in clean air.

Confused about what to buy to clean the air in your home or business? Dr. Somersall will give you an excellent, easy-to-read review of all types of air filtration and purification product types, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and a brief history of the development of the newer technologies available today in air purification products. These products spun off from technology that was developed for NASA for the shuttles and space station and have now gone beyond that space-age technology.

A must read if you want to know about optimizing indoor air quality.

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Yoga Natural Fitness For Body and Spirit.

Yoga Natural Fitness For Body and Spirit.I received this book as part of a gift package from the Body Shop, and I wasn't expecting much. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that this is an extremely well-thought out book appropriate for beginners to more advanced levels. The book begins by reviewing some of the basic tenats of yoga, including the importance of breathing as well as the purpose of the healing chakras located throughout the body. It then goes on to introduce the sun salutation series, a basic series of poses which forms the foundation of most practices.

Following this, the book is divided into approximately 20 chapters, with each chapter containing instructions for approximately 4-5 poses centered around a particular theme. For example, the "Renewal" practice is a series of poses which can be done at your desk to restore your energy while you are at work, the "Stability" practice focuses on back exercises to strengthen your midsection--other themes include waking up in the morning, warming up prior to a workout, attaining calm, increasing concentration and mental focus, strengthening your muscles, and many more.

Each series takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, so they can be done in isolation or mixed and matched to form a custom practice. All of the poses in the book are at a beginning level, but most have both modifications and more advanced versions. Furthermore, the bottom of each section includes tips on breathing, meditation, and/or general wellness. I have really enjoyed this book, expecially given that it has helped me to incorporate more yoga into my fitness routine.

This is the best yoga book I have ever seen. Beautiful design, clear and honest writing. I've seen guests in my house -with no yoga experience -pick it up and before long they're on the floor doing the Downward Dog.

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kristie's book is a wonderful book for all levels of yoga. the descriptions are clear and concise. the photographs, layout and entire book are a beautiful representation of yoga. everyone should take a look at this book. once you do, you will want to take it home with you! i can't wait to work through all the poses and try out all the other suggestions the accompany the poses. it is a very holistic approach to yoga, one that is not often done (if ever! i have yet to see another!).

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I had this book about 8 years ago, and I lost it. I'm so happy I found it again! Best yoga book ever.

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The Art of Henna; The Ultimate Body Art Book and Kit With Book

The Art of Henna; The Ultimate Body Art Book and Kit With BookI have almost every henna and mehndi book published. Though it is not the best book out there, the fact that is comes with a pre-made ready-to-use paste in a tube as well as powder you can mix for yourself is a really nice feature.

The book included gives a nice history of henna including it use in weddings and medicine as well as its use for hair, perfume and decoration. Instructions are included for both the pre-made tubes & powders that must have ingredients added. Though one is included, there are step-by-step instructions accompanied by b/w illustrations for making your own cone. It liked it that recipes from different areas like Pakistan and northern Africa are included. There are also 8 exercises for learning to draw the designs. The best thing about this book, is that it shows more designs that are on body parts other than hands and feet than other books.

If you really want get serious about doing mehndi and want it to be darker and last longer you need to get fresher paste and probably won't want to use any in a pre-made tube. However, this is wonderful for those just getting started or if you just want to experiment without a lot fuss.

Wow! I bought this kit for ALL of my friends it's fantastic! Not only is it fun and informative reading, but the kit includes everything you need to get started creating your own designs. We had a great Henna Party and now others are doing it too.

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Is It Worth Dying For?: How To Make Stress Work For You - Not Against You

Is It Worth Dying For?: How To Make Stress Work For You - Not Against YouBuy this book! Learn to refocus the positive aspects of your type A personality for success. Don't let the title fool you. This is not about sitting back in a rocking chair after your first coronary event. Instead, this cardiologist who's as Type A as the rest of us explains how to know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em in dealing with personal, professional and day-to-day social hassles. A great chapter on self talk and how it can frustrate adult stress. And a great chapter with quizzes on dealing with stresses. Take the quizzes on separate sheets of paper, date them, share them or have your significant other take them the same way as well. Periodic readings of this book got me from my first MI through 15 years of middle age, an angioplasty, and my recent triple bypass. The physical predisposition to coronary problems was genetic. My successful adjustment to the stress factors was all from the book, discovered as part of my original coronary rehabilitation in 1985. Read this book. Lead a better life. Buy copies for friends! Enjoy!

This book clearly presents solid medical advice about stress, blood pressure and weight. No miracle diets, no junk science, no fads just time tested information presented in a persuasive way. Topics range from adjusting your attitude to improving your exercise and diet.

This book is a great reference that has helped me control my weight and blood pressure without drugs.

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This book has changed my life! It is really a great book. If you are stressed out or trying to figure out how to move forward, buy this book. My instructor had the whole class reading it and we are hooked. Seriously, this book is amazing!

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I haven't read this book, my husband has. He read it years ago upon doctor's orders when he had an unreasonable, unlikeable, stupid boss. This time I bought the book for a friend. My husband lost his perspective, I believe, when he was going through a bunch of junk with this boss of his. He was the number two man at the place he worked, the editor,trying to protect the integrity of a newspaper against a general manager who really would have "sold the news" the guy was so without soul well, newspapers are down, so he's probably working for a radio for all I know and my husband is happier in another field. But at the time it was wretched for my husband, after five years of arguing with this man, my husband was fired and it was pretty personal, our civic rights were violated which we didn't find out until after we won a lawsuit for other grounds....The point is, when my husband's doc requested my husband read "Is It Worth Dying For?" it put the brakes on where his head was at, all the negativity he could not escape living, breathing, eating, and thinking. No matter what the stress is in someone's life, I highly recommend this book. It is the best action you can take to get you going again, and get you going in the right direction when you are so stressed you don't know what to do next. It should be handed out with every stress pill prescription!

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In this stressful world, we need to learn how to cope with this powerful enemy of our body. By reading this book, you'll learn how to do just that. Enjoy!

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How to Look Good Naked

How to Look Good NakedIf you haven't seen the TV show you might not appreciate the book. But if you've seen the show, this book is a great supplement! He gives style tips for 8 body shapes (3 of which apply to me). The models are 'real' women. A chapter on undergarments convinced me that the right lingerie is essential. He describes the outline of the show, including instructions on doing your own naked-photo shoot, and also touches on hair, skin and makeup. He discourages any kind of surgery.

Gok Wan has changed my perspective on how I see myself and because of that he's positively changed my life. I hear Gok's voice in the book, "Honey, let's go forth and conquer..."

It is utterly refreshing to read the loving, accepting and empathetic words of Gok throughout this book. As a larger amazonian woman for most of my adult life, I have suffered the harshness, judgement and 'advice' from society about my weight. Too many diets, books, teachers, philosophies to rake in money. Along comes Gok.

Not only is he sensitive and disarming in his love for women of all sizes, he offers practical 'you are beautiful no matter what, but let's make the most of the beauty that you are' ideas and inspirations.

I have turned a big corner since becoming exposed to his knowledge, ideas and wisdom but the most transformational thing of all, that any reader will feel from his book, is his heart.

It's simply healing. We've been dissed, rejected and judged enough. I look beautiful now and feel beautiful. THAT is the transformation.

I recommended this book to any lady who is suffering low self esteem and who wants real-time-now help to make her feel a million bucks.

:)

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The book does not help. The same model poses for pear shape and hourglass??? (same for the other models)

Why not take Trinny and Susannah's approach and show exactly what kind of clothing each shape needs instead of showing us ball gowns? Why not use the women from the series?

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This author uses positive reinforcement to get the message across that any size body can be beautiful. It's all in how you put it together. He addresses most body types and becomes your stylist...the Stars have them, that's how they look so good, so why can't we have one too? You will enjoy his books.

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Striped Shirts and Flowered Pants: A Story about Alzheimer's Disease for Young Children

Striped Shirts and Flowered Pants: A Story about Alzheimer's Disease for Young ChildrenThis was a very well done book, a must for anyone with a child that needs help explaining what is happening with grandma/grandpa and Alzheimer's. Well presented and beautifully illustrated. Well done, Ms. Schnurbush.

This little book showed that being different is okay. The acceptance by the granddaughter was so touching. The book was well written and illustrated.

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